Great Western Trail
Throckmorton, Throckmorton County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Between 1874 and 1886, millions of cattle were driven up the Great Western Trail from South Texas to the midwestern U.S., where they were sent east to market by train. The Great Western surpassed the Chisholm Trail in both length and volume. The trail passed through Throckmorton County and had a major impact on its development. Many area ranches built herds from "drags" of the Western Trail; drovers sold or gave these cattle to ranchers because they were too weak or young to make the entire trek. Cattle ranching would become the major economic base in the county. Modern U.S. Highway 183 follows the exact route of the trail from Throckmorton to Seymour. (2009)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
From 1874 to 1886, millions of cattle moved north up the Great Western Trail from South Texas toward midwestern railheads, a route that outstripped the Chisholm Trail in both length and volume. It passed directly through Throckmorton County, where local ranchers built herds from the weak or young "drags" that drovers left behind. Cattle ranching became the county's economic backbone, and modern U.S. Highway 183 now traces the trail's exact path to Seymour.
Why it matters
The Great Western Trail was the last and greatest of the long cattle roads, and its passage turned open range into permanent ranching country across the Texas frontier.
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Related events
- · Great Western Trail cattle drives
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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